Which place is cheaper, Pretoria or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nairobi or Pretoria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nairobi and Pretoria can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Nairobi or Pretoria?
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.
Pretoria
Located in Gauteng Province, Pretoria is the administrative capital city of South Africa, making it home to many government buildings and three universities. It is actually one of three capital cities, being home to the executive branch, with Cape Town as the legislative capital and Bloemfontein as the judicial capital. Within South Africa, Pretoria is also known as the "Jacaranda City" due to the thousands of jacaranda trees lining its streets, parks, and gardens.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $63Pretoria $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $63, while the average daily cost in Pretoria is $49. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Nairobi and Pretoria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Pretoria $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Pretoria $50
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Pretoria
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Pretoria? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Nairobi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Pretoria $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
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Taxi from Airport$9.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transport from Nairobi transfer Masai Mara gates Sekekani Talek: $250
- Safe and Executive Airport transfer in Nairobi: $40
- Return Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $120
- Private Transfers from Nairobi Airport to Hotels: $170
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha: $70
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $83
- Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Nairobi: $83
- Private Sightseeing Tour in Lake Nakuru with Transfer Included: $189
- Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $150
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Private One-Way Transfer from Nairobi: $27
- Private Luxury airport Taxi transfer Services Nairobi JKIA to City Hotels: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pretoria
Also for Pretoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sun City Private Transfer: $250
- Gauteng, South Africa: Airport transfers, shuttle services: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Pretoria?
Prices for flights to both Pretoria and Nairobi change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayNairobi $7.63Pretoria $15
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner for Two$5.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $21
- Nairobi:Carnivore Restaurant Dinner and Pub Crawling.: $47
- Enjoy Traditional Kenyan Food Cooking Class With a Host.: $53
- Local Market Tour and Traditional Meal Cooking Class: $53
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
- Nairobi Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch: $55
- Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience : $68
- Private Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $76
- Carnivore Dinner Experience: $80
- Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $80
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $87
- The Safari Cats Show Tickets & Buffet Dinner: $89
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pretoria
For Pretoria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Feisty Food Tour : $73
- Pan African Cooking Class & Organic food experience: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $47Pretoria $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Village Visit$16
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Days 2 Nights in Maasai Mara Safari Tour: $220
- Amboseli Day tour from Nairobi Private tour: $290
- Day Tour Amboseli Park From Nairobi: $180
- Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour: $95
- Half day tour to Elephant orphanage & Giraffe Centre Nairobi: $95
- Nairobi National Park Drive in 4*4 Landcruiser: $200
- Nairobi National Park Group Joining Daily Tour: $138
- The 42 Stories -Kenya Culture and Walk Experience with a Local: $36
- Tour Giraffe Centre, David Shedrick, Karen Blixen & city tour.: $110
- Tour Hells gate National park day tour: $150
- half Day TOURS/NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK/ELEPHANT & GIRAFFE CENTRE: $90
- "Nairobi's Ultimate Wildlife & Cultural Adventure: $40
Tours and Activities in Pretoria
For Pretoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Pilanesberg National Park Full Day Guided Tour( Safari Experience) : $178
- Soweto and Apartheid Museum Day Tour private from Johannesburg Private: $92
- 2 Hours Bicycle Tour in Soweto(Johannesburg): $89
- 4-Hours Pretoria Private History Tour : $81
- Aerial Cableway Private Tour from Johannesburg : $81
- Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre Half-Day Tour from Johannesburg: $195
- Apartheid Museum Tour in Johannesburg, every FRIDAY afternoon: $50
- Cheer on the Cheetah Run for Conservation Adventure: $190
- City Tour of Pretoria: $135
- Constitutional Hill Highlight Tour: $100
- Cradle of Human Kind & Lion & Rhino Park Tour Full day Tour Private : $184
- Cradle of Humankind Half Day Tour with Lunch : $107
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Pretoria $31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Pretoria, we can see that Nairobi is more expensive. And not only is Pretoria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pretoria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pretoria and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Nairobi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nairobi than you might in Pretoria.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Pretoria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Pretoria?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Pretoria. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Pretoria, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.